In Episode 5 of Season 5 we had asked: what is behind youth's growing frustration with our current party system and our political discourse. Is it polarization? Social media? Or is it something different altogether? 

Because we ended our previous episode with more questions than answers, for this one, we called on the experts! 

To help us think through our many questions, we invited political scientists Wendy Johnson, Sally Friedman, R.J. Haq, and Joseph Scanlon, doctoral researcher Amalini Fernando, and Times Union managing editor for digital content Erica Smith. Together, they unpack what political scientists actually know about polarization, media, and civic engagement, and disentangle for us the many reasons for Americans' frustration with the clickbait style of political news. We end the episode with a discussion of the role each of us can play in positive system transformations that would not even require big constitutional changes, and with an important call on educators to do more to prepare young people for leadership.

As we recorded this episode in the middle of the summer semester, we also, of course, took the time to talk about what the New York Knicks' victory over the San Antonio Spurs can teach us about the importance of keeping up the work, no matter what!

About our Guests:

Amalini Fernando is finishing her doctorate in Political Science at the University at Albany and a Fellow with the Center for Women in Government and Civil Society at the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at SUNY Albany.

Wendy Johnson is an Associate Professor of Political Science and the Chair of the Social Science Division at SUNY Adirondack.

Sally Friedman is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at SUNY Albany.

Joseph Scanlon is an Associate Professor of Political Science at SUNY Monroe Community College and a SUNY Civic Discourse and Civic Engagement Fellow from 2024 to 2025.

“R.J.” Haq is the Assistant Director of Civic Engagement at the University at Buffalo, and a SUNY Civic Discourse and Civic Engagement Fellow from 2025-2026.

Mentioned in this episode:

Duverger's law: Theory in political science that says that electoral systems using single-member districts and plurality voting ultimately produce a two-party system.

Russel Dalton, The good citizen : how a younger generation is reshaping American politics (Thousand Oaks, California: CQ Press, 2016)

Gilens, Martin, and Benjamin I. Page. “Testing theories of American politics: Elites, interest groups, and average citizens.” Perspectives on Politics 12, no. 3 (2014): 564–81.

The views voiced on this episode reflect the lived experiences and uncensored opinions of the guests; they do not necessarily capture the full diversity of attitudes within a larger community, nor do they express an official view of SUNY Schenectady.

Internships can transform lives. They help students gain experience, build skills, grow their social capital, get hired, and even earn higher starting salaries! But in spite of these known perks, a mere "35% of first-generation seniors reported participating in an internship" according to 2021 numbers, and a large proportion of students said they were simply not able to afford an internship!

To close this internship opportunity gap, the New York State Governor, the State Legislature, and the SUNY Board of Trustees committed to millions of dollars in funding to support paid internships and to expand access to stipends and wraparound services like transportation and childcare.

To learn more about the opportunities this support could open to our students, co-hosts Ashley Lucie Lumbala, Empire State Service Corps Intern, and Dr. Babette Faehmel, History Professor, invited some of SUNY Schenectady's own most adventurous and resourceful student interns, their professors, and Brandon Aldous, Director of Internships and Employer Partnerships in the Office of Workforce Development and Upward Mobility at the State University of New York System Administration. Join us to hear how to make the most of an internship opportunity and where to find support!

Resources mentioned in the episode:  

Harvard/MIT Early Access to Research Training (HEART) 

Amgen Scholars Program

SUNY Internships and Employer Partnerships and Workforce Development LinkedIn Page

Career and Transfer Services | SUNY Schenectady

The views voiced on this episode reflect the lived experiences and uncensored opinions of the guests; they do not necessarily capture the full diversity of attitudes within a larger community, nor do they express an official view of SUNY Schenectady.

Youth's faith in the political system is fraying; many of them "feeling underrepresented and underserved," as a recent Tufts Circle survey reported. Concerns about the high cost of living and their own job prospects, frustration with the two-party system and national politics, and distrust of elected officials shape the thinking of many 18- to 29-year-olds today, as numerous studies have documented. We wanted to learn more about what might be behind these findings, and get a sense of what students at SUNY Schenectady are thinking. 

Join student co-hosts Ashley Lucie Lumbala and Sion Hardy, and faculty co-host Dr. Babette Faehmel, for a conversation with Warren Baynes, History Concentration; Joseph Holmes, Biotechnology; and Josiah Tanner, undecided, as well as Joan Fucillo with the League of Women Voters of Schenectady, and Jeremy LaMaster, Fiscal Director and Grant Administrator for Workforce Development and Community Education at SUNY Schenectady, and a regional organizer for the Kamala Harris campaign in 2024.

We apologize for the low quality of the audio recording in the first few minutes! We can assure you that it gets better quickly!     

Studies mentioned in the episode:

• 2025 Harvard Youth Poll 
• 2025 SSRS Blog
• 2024 Tufts University Survey 
• 2023 Gallup Poll 

The documentary "Majority Rules 101" by Unite America can be found on the organization's website.

The views voiced on this episode reflect the lived experiences and uncensored opinions of the guests; they do not necessarily capture the full diversity of attitudes within a larger community, nor do they express an official view of SUNY Schenectady.

Digital technology is everywhere and social media notifications put a constant demand on our attention. Studies abound that all this pull on our minds, thoughts, and emotions, and the monetization of our user data is not working in our favor! On this episode, hosts Ashleylucie Lumbala, Sion Hardy and faculty co-host Dr. Babette Faehmel ask: What are we losing when we give so much attention to our devices? What are we handing over when we turn to artificial intelligence? And what would it look like if we used the tools in our hands more deliberately for voice and empowerment? 

Joining us to discuss the pros and cons of digital technology are Elijah Olivieri, Computer Science student, SUNY Schenectady; Bhawin Suchak, Film Director, Co-Founder, Co-Executive Director YouthFX; Prince Sprauve, Film Director and Founder/CEO of Quiet On Set LLC, and Thomas (Tom) Mackey, Professor in the Department of Arts and Media, SUNY Empire State University. Together, we discuss the impacts of social media, AI, algorithmic manipulation, and how we can regain agency and ensure that our voices are heard.

The views voiced on this episode reflect the lived experiences and uncensored opinions of the guests; they do not necessarily capture the full diversity of attitudes within a larger community, nor do they express an official view of SUNY Schenectady.

Freedom of expression is generally upheld as a core American value and a key ingredient for a functioning democracy! At the same time, we are constantly debating the limits to speech. Especially when speech is abrasive, hateful, deceiving, or simply careless, it becomes difficult to stand by our free speech principles. And on many college campuses, recent studies have found, students would rather not be exposed to views they oppose. 

Have we lost our way? Have we maybe unlearned the skills needed to live in a society where speech is supposed to be free? For this episode, cohosts Ashley Lumbala, Sion Hardy, and Dr. Babette Faehmel reached out to five guests who think a lot about "speech" as part of their academic and professional role. 

Joining us are Lonny Davenport, Communication Concentration student at SUNY Schenectady; Professor Richard Hamm, Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Department of History at SUNY Albany; Nikita Bowen-Hardy, the President of the Schenectady Chapter of the NAACP; Rae Doyle, Professor of Communication at SUNY Schenectady; and, by Zoom from his office at Monroe Community College in Rochester, Professor Joseph Scanlon, Associate Professor of Political Science.

To learn more about the fascinating topic of "how free is free speech," feel free to consult the following sources:

Samantha Barbas, "The Enduring Significance of New York Times Co. v. Sullivan" (March 18, 2024).

Zach Goldberg, Ryan Owens, & Lynn Woodworth, "Americans’ Troubling Views on Speech, Harm, and Violence" (November 2025).

American Civil Liberties Union, "Freedom of Expression" (March 1, 2002).

The views voiced on this episode reflect the lived experiences and uncensored opinions of the guests; they do not necessarily capture the full diversity of attitudes within a larger community, nor do they express an official view of SUNY Schenectady.

Veterans only make up between 4 to 5 % of the overall student population. In experience, skill sets, and mindset, however, this group stands out prominently. For this episode, the co-hosts Ashleylucie Ntumba Lumbala, Sion Hardy, and Dr. Babette Faehmel met with current and former student veterans to talk about how they navigated the transition from military service to college, the challenges they face and faced, and the unique strengths they brought with them to higher education. 

Joining us to share their personal views and experiences are Francis Edward Brown IV, a Navy veteran and current student in the School of Music at Schenectady County Community College; Schenectady City Councilman Carl Williams; Stephen Onley with the Veterans Resource Outreach Center (VET-ROC) at Hudson Valley Community College; and Kevin Dean, Executive Director of ASAP in the Office of Strategic Planning at SUNY Schenectady. 

Assisting us with the recording, editing, and mixing of this episode were School of Music students Aileen Alverado, Carter Maxon, Sebastian McHenry, Dylan Bruce, and Cole Schilling.

A special thanks goes out to Anna Westerman, Assistant Director of Academic Advisement and Retention, and Dr. David Clickner, Vice President for Strategic Initiatives & Planning, for their help and support with thinking through this particular topic.  

If you want to learn more about -- and from -- student veterans, you may start with these resources:

• The "Resource Hub" at the Center for Veteran Transition and Integration at Columbia University; the "go-to destination for free, game-changing military to civilian resources."
•  Psych/Armor: a military-connected community offering online courses and other educational resources "for military, Veterans, their families, and caregivers ... and organizations who want to more effectively engage with them."

For more information about supports for student veterans at SUNY Schenectady County Community College, please visit the Veterans Resource Office, located in ELS 222.

The views voiced on this episode reflect the lived experiences and uncensored opinions of the guests; they do not necessarily capture the full diversity of attitudes within a larger community, nor do they express an official view of SUNY Schenectady.

In spite of some recent studies indicating a decrease in the prevalence of major depression, mental health remains a significant concern among community college students. Many report that anxiety and stress harm both their well-being and academic success, with some even withdrawing from classes. The constant stress from trying to balance college, work, and family responsibilities is "also associated with a host of adverse conditions, including a higher prevalence of eating disorders, suicidality, and substance abuse compared to the adult, noncollege-student population."(1) Stigma, limited awareness of services, and barriers like work and caregiving make accessing support especially difficult for students in two-year colleges.

For this episode, please join two new student co-hosts -- Ashleylucie Ntumba Lumbala and Sion Hardy -- faculty host Dr. Babette Faehmel, and their guests, for an intense conversation about stress, doubt, and fear of the future; but also for an inspiring talk about self-care, wellness, and --- surprisingly --- the healing power of the martial arts. 

Contributing to this episode are: Current students Brittany Bowie and Khalim Hannah; former student and current CEO of JMurrayAthletics, John Murray; Sean Mullen, Counselor in SUNY Schenectady's Wellness and Support Services office; and Maria Farina, Adjunct Instructor of Psychology and Civic Engagement at SUNY Schenectady.

For more information about mental health supports, please visit SUNY Schenectady's Wellness and Support Services, which includes the Disability Resource Office, the Resource Hub, supportive counseling, and the Food Pantry. If you want to reach out to Sean Mullen, send an email to [email protected] or give him a call at 518-381-1336.

(1) Bonilla, Sade, and Veronica Minaya. (2024). Challenges and opportunity: An examination of barriers to postsecondary academic success. (EdWorkingPaper: 24-925). Retrieved from Annenberg Institute at Brown University: https://doi.org/10.26300/0cw6-fe07

The views voiced on this episode reflect the lived experiences and uncensored opinions of the guests; they do not necessarily capture the full diversity of attitudes within a larger community, nor do they express an official view of SUNY Schenectady.

Gender diversity might seem like a new topic spreading on social and digital media. But is this phenomenon really new? 

Join co-hosts Archer and Babette for a thought-provoking conversation about not only the realities faced by trans students, faculty, and staff today, but also about how colonization, historical erasure, and language have shaped what we believe to be true about our own selves and desires. Contributing to this discussion are Ashley Hopkins-Benton, who curates the LGBTQ+ collection at the New York State Museum; Courtney D'Allaird, Associate Director for Intercultural Student Engagement at SUNY Albany; and Amy Student, Academic Advisor, as well as Maura Davis, TRIO Academic Specialist.

This conversation is a timely reminder of why visibility matters – not just for current students navigating their identities, but for creating a more accepting world for everyone. After all, as one guest observes, many of us have been subjected to "messages of shame" at some point in our lives -- shame about  our "bodies, our gender, or about our love." And this is simply why all of us deserve access to spaces that foster joy, community, and the liberty to discover our own authentic self!

Thank you all for listening this season! Stay strong, stay confident, and keep shooting for the stars–you’ll get there! We hope that you will join us for our next season, premiering in the Fall 2025 semester. 

Links to Resources: 

In Our Own Voices, Inc.

Pride Center of the Capital Region 

The Trevor Project 

Human Rights Campaign 

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

The views voiced on this episode reflect the lived experiences and uncensored opinions of the guests; they do not necessarily capture the full diversity of attitudes within a larger community, nor do they express an official view of SUNY Schenectady.

The mission of community colleges is to open access to opportunities, to help students achieve their dreams, and to offer the kind of career and academic guidance that transforms lives! But at community colleges nationwide, only 27% of students graduate. For Pell Grant recipients at SUNY Schenectady, that number drops to a mere 20%. What is behind these devastating statistics?

"It's not so much the academics," explains Kevin Dean, SUNY Schenectady’s Executive Director of Advancing Success in Associate Pathways (ASAP). "It's usually the other stuff—jobs with incompatible hours, family responsibilities, not enough time or energy to study."

This “other stuff” can derail individual career plans, deprive communities of needed talent, and perpetuate social inequality. But Kevin Dean knows from personal and professional experience that statistics are not destiny. Students in ASAP, the program he leads, are graduating at a rate approaching 50%. And on this episode, we will discuss what “secret sauce” makes possible this astonishing success.

Guests on this episode include the students Zhya Codrington, Willow Donaldson, Mekayla Da Silva, and Heather Miller, as well as local culinary entrepreneurs Jamie Ortiz and Tyikea Mclean. They joined Assistant Professor of Hotel, Culinary Arts & Tourism Rain E O'Donnell, TRIO Academic Specialist Maura Davis, ASAP Executive Director Kevin Dean, and podcast co-host Dr. Babette Faehmel in the studio.

Archer Abbott, student-cohost and production assistant, had to miss the recording but provided needed research assistance. 

If you're eligible for Pell grants and pursuing an associate degree, visit SUNY Schenectady's website to discover how ASAP could change your academic journey and career trajectory.

A note on this episode’s production quality: Student support professionals are always on call. If you hear a cell phone go off or a background noise it is a reflection of how closely our learning specialists are working with their students!

The views voiced on this episode reflect the lived experiences and uncensored opinions of the guests; they do not necessarily capture the full diversity of attitudes within a larger community, nor do they express an official view of SUNY Schenectady.

On February 28th, 2025 we'll celebrate the 60th anniversary of the TRIO federal education programs. Established in 1965, TRIO was designed to help those who are economically vulnerable — including veterans, individuals with disabilities, and first-generation college students — achieve higher education. 
 
At SUNY Schenectady, over 80% of students qualify for one of TRIO’s programs whose positive impact in fostering academic success and supporting long-term achievement is well-documented, particularly for students who face significant challenges. 

And still, TRIO is at risk! Although a temporary funding bill (aka a “continuing resolution”) passed Congress at just the last minute, and despite a long record of bipartisan support, cuts to the program are a real possibility; the threat of funding delays is endangering key areas of staffing and student support. 
 
 The current short-term spending bill is set to expire on March 14. The new administration and Congress have the potential to introduce funding cuts for the remainder of 2025. These cuts could directly affect TRIO programs, particularly the number and size of grants awarded in the ongoing TRIO Student Support Services competition—a process that includes our own TRIO program at SUNY Schenectady.
 
 In this episode, co-hosts Dr. Babette Faehmel and Archer Abbott discuss the significance of TRIO programs with their guests, explore what the program does, why it's crucial, and how we can help ensure the programs continue to receive funding. 

Joining them are: Mary T Silvestri, Director of TRIO, Maura Davis, TRIO Academic Specialist, and Tiombé Tatum, Chief of Staff and former TRIO Academic Specialist. As well as the student members of TRIO; Deviyani (Devi) Singh, Imani Romain, Jasmatie (Jasmyn) Lutawan, Hanif Thompson, and Corey Bub.
 
 If you’d like to learn more and get involved, please visit the Council for Opportunity in Education website. You may also go straight to their advocacy page to show your support at https://coenet.org/advocacy/

The views voiced on this episode reflect the lived experiences and uncensored opinions of the guests; they do not necessarily capture the full diversity of attitudes within a larger community, nor do they express an official view of SUNY Schenectady.